Sunday, December 30, 2007

Hey Mickey


I love my hubby he is just wonderful. He has been really sick lately and still got up and went to work all week. Today (Sunday) was the first day in about 5 that he has felt good. So when me and the kids got home from church he had the dishes done and the house all clean.

Yesterday was a bad day the kids were crazy and Mick was grouchy and by 8pm I HAD IT. I went to go take a bath and about 3 min after being in there Mick came in with a bunch of candles lit set them up in the bathroom and turned off the light for me. He kept the kids out and I got to relax in the bath ALONE!!


He is such a sweet guy and I could not ask for more. Well today we were watching the VH1's 100 top 80's videos and guess what song was 50 something...... Yep "Mickey" by Toni Basil. SO in tribute to my wonderful hubby I figured how to add a play list and added a song just for him on here. Love you Mickey :) (he is going to kill me when he see's this LOL)

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Toys Toys Toys!!!







I love Christmas and this year was the best so far with the kids. They both got the whole Santa thing and were so excited to go to bed last night it was so fun. Then to have them wake up early and see them get so excited over all the new things Santa brought them is just the best. I put some pics of some of the new toys they got. One thing Justin got was the HUGE hot wheels car T-rex thing. It has a mooter that spins this thing that shoots cars up the T-rex back (this thing is 28inch tall) and the cars land in his mouth. Then you hold a button and it shoots a car at the head and all the cars come flying out. Its shoots them so fast you cant even see them going up. I tried to get a video of it but it looks really bad (my camera is really old) but you get the jest of what it does.



Sky got some super girly things that she is just in love with. She got a fun dress up box with all kinds of things to wear (thanks Mom) and a nursery set for her babies. She loves it when its a high chair so she has been feeding her doll all day.



Hope you all had a great Christmas :)

Sorry the video is sideways I thought I could change it once I got it on the computer but I cant. Don't worrie its short LOL

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Santa




So the kids got to see Santa at our ward dinner Saturday night. I knew Justin would be fine, he has been waiting for months now to tell Santa what he wants.
Skyla was another story, she cried like crazy last year and she does ok with new people but I figured she would cry this time too.
Boy was I shocked when it was her turn to see Santa and she ran to him arms open ready to hug him. She has been talking about Santa and Christmas coming all day, she just loved seeing him.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Justin.....

I knew when my kids were born someday they would grow up. One day Mom and Dad wouldn't be so cool. Mom and Dad's opinion wouldn't matter as much as there friends. What Mom and Dad think about there action's wouldn't matter as much as what there friends think of what they did.

I guess I was hoping for this to happen sometime around 8-9 years of age but NNOOOO it has to happen now. OK so here is the story on Justin....


Last night we went up to the temple with The Ormsby family. It was really nice having both of our family's (yes Mick was there too and enjoying him self like never before) together at such a wonderful place. SO as most of you know and some of your kids do too Justin really looks up to Michel and Jarod. SO he trys to keep his cool for the most part and do what ever they are doing (good think there such good boy and set such good examples). So we watch the live nativity then head up to the temple to see the city lights. Some time wile we are up there Justin burns his arm on a light. I mean he got it good, there is a hug red welt and the whole thing blister up really good.

SO he does this and not ONE peep comes out of him. he doesn't cry doesn't even tell any of us he did this. So we leave the temple walk around a bit more then head home (about 35-40min later). We finally get home and Mick goes to help Justin take off his jacket when he starts crying. We ask him whats wrong and he shows us his arm. I just about died when i saw it and asked him what happened. Then after he tells us Mick asked him how come he didn't tell us when he did it and how come he didn't cry when it happened? Justin look sup at him and says "Dad I cant cry in front of my friends when I get hurt doing something dumb" I couldn't help but giggle at that one. So he tells us he knew it was hot and was just looking but lost his balance a little and his arm touched the light. He didn't cry cause he didn't want Michel and Jarod to see him crying and make fun of him (they wouldn't anyways but he was so worried about what they would think if he cryed). I cant believe My 5 year old is so worried about what others think all ready. I knew this day was coming but I don't think I will ever be ready for him to grow up.

Monday, December 3, 2007

IM so blessed




Going through Temple was one of the most amazing things ever. The things you see and hear and feel are just incredible. The best part was I got to share it with people I love dearly. Its been hard not having any family to share this with (mainly Mick) but my friends are more like family to me then most of my family is LOL. I am so blessed to have the friends heavenly father has given to me. Some of them are leaving and that's hard cause they mean so much. I'm sure there will be more moving in in no time at all and that's always nice to look forward to.

Being a member of the church really opens your eyes more to the beauty and gifts of this world, and I am more grateful now then ever that I get to be apart of it. I'm so excited that Amber (my best friend and Sister from another Mr. :p) was able to come down and go through temple with me. Her and her family have been such a big blessing in my family's life. They have been a wonderful example to us and I cant believe how much they can get Mick to come around.

Mick has for the passed year shown more and more interest in the church. He ask questions now and wants to do thing with us that are church related. Going to the temple Sunday night to see the Xmas lights was a big leap for him and it was just a wonderful blessing for our family. Justin was so excited to show his dad how wonderful Christ is and all the things the Savior did for us cause he loves us. Mick listened to everything Justin had to tell him and just ate it all up. I know someday my family will receive the blessing of Mick wanting to be baptized. Then the wonderful blessing of being sealed in the temple as a eternal family.

I wouldn't be the person I am today if it wasn't for my friends and there love. My family wouldn't be the family they are if it wasn't for my friends. My friends are the greats blessing in my life and I hope you all know that.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

mmmmmm Cookies

One of my fave things about Christmas is baking. I love to bake! I love making all kinds of different cookies and breads. So this year I thought I would share some of my favorite recipes.

Chocolate Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies
1 batch Sugar Cookies, recipe follows
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 cup crushed candy canes or peppermint candies

Divide the dough in half and add chocolate and vanilla to 1 half and incorporate with hands.
Add egg yolk, peppermint extract, and crushed candy to other half of dough and incorporate with hands.
Cover both with plastic and chill for approximately 5 minutes. Roll out doughs separately to approximately 1/4-inch thickness. Place peppermint dough on top of chocolate and press together around the edges. Using waxed paper or flexible cutting board underneath, roll dough into log. Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate for 2 hours. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Remove dough from the refrigerator and cut into 1/2-inch slices. Place cookies 1-inch apart on greased baking sheet, rotating the pan halfway through cooking time. Remove from oven and let sit on baking sheet for 2 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.


Sugar Cookie:
3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon milk
Powdered sugar, for rolling out dough

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Place butter and sugar in large bowl of electric stand mixer and beat until light in color. Add egg and milk and beat to combine. Put mixer on low speed, gradually add flour, and beat until mixture pulls away from the side of the bowl.


Moravian Spice Cookie
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon finely ground white pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 large egg yolk

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Whisk the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, pepper and mustard together in a medium bowl.

Beat the butter and sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until just combined and lightly fluffy. Beat in the molasses and egg yolk. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix together on low speed until dough is just combined and still crumbly, about 3 minutes. Give dough a few turns with a spatula to bring together.
Lay out wax paper on a clean work surface and put about 1/3 of the batter on top. Lightly press down and top with another sheet of wax paper. Using your hands or a rolling pin, gently pat into a rectangle. Roll out with a rolling pin until dough is as thin as possible without breaking, no thicker than 1/16 inch thick. This is the key to these cookies: they really can't be too thin. Gently peel back the layer of waxed paper and then replace it loosely.

Transfer rolled batter to a flat baking sheet and freeze until firm and can easily be peeled away from the waxed paper, about 30 minutes. Repeat with the remaining dough.
Cut dough using a small (2- to 3-inch) fluted round cookie cutter and return to the freezer for 15 minutes to set. Transfer frozen cookies to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake until crisp and lightly, evenly colored (but not brown), about 10 minutes.



Almond Lace Cookies
1 3/4 cups sliced, blanched almonds (about 5 ounces)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Finely grated zest of 1 orange (about 2 tablespoons)
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Chocolate Topping, optional: 2 to 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
Pulse the almonds in a food processor until finely chopped, but not pasty. Stir together the nuts, flour, zest and salt in a large bowl.
Put the sugar, cream, corn syrup and butter in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a rolling boil and sugar is completely dissolved. Continue to boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, then pour mixture into almond mixture and stir just to combine. Set aside until cool enough to handle, 30 minutes.
Scoop rounded teaspoons (for 3-inch cookies) or rounded tablespoons (for 6-inch cookies) of batter and roll into balls. Place on prepared baking sheet, leaving about 3 to 4 inches between each cookie since they spread.
Bake 1 pan at a time, until the cookies are thin and an even golden brown color throughout, rotating pans halfway through baking time, about 10 to 11 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve.


Cranberry Orange Nut bread
Grated peel and Juice of one Orange
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Pre heat oven @ 325

Squeeze orange, then add boiling water, just enough to make 3/4 cup liquid. Add grated peel and butter, stir till butter is melted.

With mixer beat sugar, egg, orange mix and vanilla. Mix till well blended then add cranberries and walnuts.

Mix dry ingredients together and add to orange mix 1 cup at a time letting each cup mix in all the way.

Bake in a 9x5x3 loaf pan @325 for 1 hour

I know my blog is kinda long but I hope you all enjoy these. Happy baking :)



Saturday, November 24, 2007

We got our Tree


I don't really like getting our Xmas tree the day after thanksgiving. By the time Xmas comes the tree look so bad and its been up so long you cant wait to get rid of it. Also living up stairs kills Mick having to carry up a heavy tree.


Well the kids got us to get one yesterday LOL. It was totally unplanned. We went to target to look at fake ones but the one we liked was $230. So as we are leaving Justin is begging to go see the real trees at the lot. We go to the same lot every year and one of the guys recognized us and came to talk to us. We told him we were not going to get on right now but we came so Justin could see them.


We walked around the whole lot Justin got his fill and we were just about to leave when Mick spots this tree way in the back covered by some other trees. He goes and gets the guy (brian) that we know and asked him if we could see the tree. So Brian digs it out and its so pretty. Its nice and full no bald spots 7 feet tall and just so nice. Mick asked him how much and brian said he would be right back. So he leaves and I tell mick "We said we were not getting one right now" and all I get is "But look at this tree" and all 3 of them (mick justin and skyla) give me the puppy dog look. So brian comes back and said he went to talk to his boss. Told his boss how we go there every year and the boss gave him the ok to sell us this tree for really cheap. Trees are not cheap but at least it was a big discount the tree was supposed to go for $70-75 and we got it for $50. So the price sold me and we got our tree.


The kids love it and it really did put me in a great mood once we got it home. I'm so excited for xmas I just love seeing how happy the kids get with all the little things we do this time of year.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

4 Things

4 Jobs I've Had: Vet assistant, Receptionist, Admin assistant, Mommy

4 Movies I Can Watch Over and Over: Dirty Dancing, Grease, Signs, any disney movie (I love disney stuff)

4 Places I have lived: Hayward, CA San leandro, CA ( I haven't moved much)

4 Guilty Pleasures: Long Hot showers, Sweets (I have a bad sweet tooth) , Shoes, Reading (I'll stay up till 4am to finish a good book)

4 Favorite TV Shows: LOST, Extreme home makeover, Dancing with the Stars, Nature shows

4 Places I've Been On Vacation: Hawaii, Washington, Connecticut, Oklahoma

4 Favorite Foods: Sweets, Salads, Tacos, Fruit

4 Places I Would Rather Be Right Now: a warm cabin in the snow , On a nice beach, At my mom's, In New York City shopping

4 Websites I Visit Daily: My Emails, Bank Account Pages (I think we all do this), My Blog and my Friend's Blogs, Meetup.com

4 Authors I Love: Jane Austen, Stephenie Meyer, C.S Lewis, Edgar allen Poe

4 Things I Would Like To Know How To Do: Scuba Dive, Play the piano, Swing dance, how to bake like a pastry chef

4Things I Worry About: My family, Money, Moving out of state (someday), Cleaning the house

4Things I Want To Do Next Year: Move to CT, Get a new car, Lose weight, Go to Disneyland ( I have never been there, isnt that sad)

Im tagging Jessie, Sarah C. and Natalie

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving




Justin's class is learning about the first thanksgiving.

So thought I would share this really cute pic of his class all dressed up like Pilgrims. Justin is on the bottom next to the little girl looking away.
Then today Fri they made Indain costumes so I had both the kids model Justin's art work.

Im going to the TEMPLE


I still cant believe its been a year since my baptism. I'm so excited about going to the temple. I'm trying really hard not to be to excited and to try to keep my anxiety down. There is just so much that's going to happen its hard to get a grip on it.

So I had my interview with Bishop Danielson the last week of Oct. I finally got my interview with President Ribeira. I had to fight crying the whole way there. I was just so excited it was really hard to control. Then I had to sit and wait witch was nice cause I got to see some people form our ward and chit chat. Then i went in to the office and right after the first question I started crying like crazy. President Ribeira actually laughed at me and mean he was cracking up. It was pretty funny so I give him that anyways the interview was just wonderful. The room was so filled with the spirit and once I got my crying under control it was much easier to answer the questions :)

I still cant believe how much things have changed in the last year. I love being a member of the church. I love knowing what a big part it plays in my and my family's day to day life. I'm so grateful that my kids will have the chance to grow up in the church and know the truths of it all. Only 2week and 2day till I get to step through the temple doors.

Monday, November 12, 2007

I hate cars

I don't think we have EVER owned a car that didn't give us more problems then we could handle. I think I know more about cars then the average Girl just because things have happened to us. Well at least I can say I'm happy about this car we have now. Its small, not the nice to look at, has some problem's but, we have been really blessed with this one.

So the thing has been leaking oil for some time now we took it in about 6 month ago and the people who did our Oil change (6 month earlier) said it was about a $500-$700 job. This is a auto shop in Hayward that a friend of Mick's told him to go to. We took it there about a year ago for a oil change and they said it was leaking then but we never really saw anything till about 6 month ago. Well it finally got to a point that we had to fix it. I feel bad cause we made a huge mess in our parking lot. Mick and his friend went out there and cleaned up the mess the best they could with this de-greaser stuff. It looks so much better now.

I took the car in on Monday to WRIGHT'S over here by my house. We have always taken our cars there and Mick has thought they were ripping us off (that's why he went to this place in Hayward) well they had my car for 3 hours and it was fixed. I told them when I took it in I didn't want it fixed just looked at, well the girl said it was something so cheap and easy to fix they just assumed it would be ok. I asked her what was wrong and she said The oil filter we had on there was defective and not put on right. Then the drain plug (the thing they take off to drain your oil for a change) some one scraped off the sealant so it was leaking from there too. Bottom line the place in Hayward sabotaged our car and told us it would be a $700 job to fix. THEY TRIED TO SCREW US OVER!! I'm so mad I told mick I'm calling 7 on your side LOL.

Anyways I love Wright's they're great and it was only $56.00 to fix our car. So now we FINALLY (for now) have a car with no major problem's.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

7 thing about me

My good friend Sarah C. tagged me. So here is my list (Sorry if its boring)

1) Im a List person. I have list for everything, if im going some where I have to make a list so I dont forget anything. I like to make list first thing in the morning so I dont forget anything IM supposed to do that day. I have to write everything down the second I find out about it or Im a total scatter brain (I'll tell you more about that in #2) and forget. I leave post its all over the place with list on them. I just feel more ready to go and organized when i have a list.

2) Im scatter brained and forgetfull (this goes with #1). If I dont write down something on the calender right when I hear about it I will totally forget. Im always leaving my self notes so I dont forget things. My calender looks crazy cause I will put everything down on there. It drive me crazy when I forget things and I feel like I let someone down because of it.

3) Im a huge fan of Musicals, Broadway, The Ballet and Oprah's. I cant sing for crud but I love to try, I was in choir in school and thats when I really got in to musicals and stuff. I love watching people act its such a rare art form and its so nice when you can see some like Tom Hanks for ie. That can play any charter and make you feel that they are that person. I love dance and Ballet is my fave. Its graceful and so beautiful to watch like any dace a whole story can be unfolded with out words its just amazing to me.

4) I cant stand surprises, Ok I can as long as I have no idea its coming, but like Xmas If someone gets me something then ask me to wait to open it that drive me crazy. Hence the reason I had to find out what sex my kids were. If we would of had to wait I would have gone nuts. I do like surprise party's and gifts just dont tell me ahead of time that your doing it LOL. On the other hand I love doing and give surprises to others even thought it drives me crazy to have it happen to me I love doing it to other people.

5) Im a FRESH AIR freak. No matter how cold it is or if its raining I have to have a window open. At night I sleep with the fan on cause I have to have the air moving in the room. It drives Mick crazy but he is a sweet heart and puts up with it.

6)I have a love/hate relationship with shoes.
I love shoes I can spend hours just trying on shoes and could pick out 50 pairs in 5 min I could buy right then and there. Im always check out other peoples shoes. Then the hate part I hate wearing shoes for along periods of time. The second I get home they are off, if I go to someones house they come off, if we are driving some where and will be in the car a wile they come off.

7) I love change. I cant stand it when things are the same for too long. Well besides the normal Like having the same friends and things like that. But like Im always rearranging my living room just to get a change. Doing something different with my hair for a good change. I so not one of those people that looks at things changing as scary for some reason it exciting for me and I jump in with both feet.

So I dont know anyone with a blog that hasnt been tagged but I will find someone.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

4 non material things Im thankful for

So I read Sarah C. blog and it really got me thinking so I decided to go ahead and write down my 4 things.

1) My Family (it kinda goes with out saying) I really have no idea where I would be with out Mick and my kids. Mick is the love of my life and my best friend. I couldn't imagine life with out him and cant wait for the day when we can be a eternal family. Justin and Skyla or true gifts from God. I love my kids more then life it self. Each day with them is a joy to have (even though the fits and attitude can be a pain) and I am enjoying and socking up every moment up I can with them.

2) My friends I have came to know and LOVE from church.
You all have no idea how much you mean to me. Becoming a member of the church was not easy but with all of you right behind me and all of the love and support you have given me it made it so much easier. I'm so sad to see some of you moving away but I'm so happy for you all to start your new life's. I really don't know how I would have got in through some things with out you all. I have always heard the phrase "my Friend are my family" I'm so grateful that I can say that about you all.

3) My sense of hummer
I'm so grateful I'm not a very serious person :P I know what a crazy thing to be thankful for but really I am. I'm always so happy to just be alive that I think being to serious doesn't allow you to enjoy life. I love cartoons, broad game and anything that can put a smile on my face. I love to help others loosen up and to make someones day. I love to crack a joke or be totally sarcastic when someone is doing something. I love laughing and having other to laugh with or at whatever the situation is :P
I can and am serious when I need to be but most of the time I'm a total goof ball.

4) Seasons,
Yep the weather. I'm grateful for what summer brings, a chance to be out in the sun and fresh air. A chance to be out doors as much as possible taking up and enjoy all our world has to offer.
Fall, the change of seasons things getting colder and watching the earth change. Old things going knowing new ones will be here in no time. The holidays approaching with all the family things to enjoy.
Winter, the cold air give us the chances to make hot coco and cuddle up on the couch with a warm blanket to watch a movie. The rain and knowing all the power that it has to help things grown and wash away the old to make way for the new. The soothing sound it makes that helps me sleep a little better. Xmas time and the holiday cheer everyone seems to have.
Spring, what can you say about spring that's when all the new things start to come out. Go to the park to feed the ducks and check out the new fluffy baby ducklings. The trees start to get there leafs back and look so fresh and new. Our brown hills are GREEN (for a few weeks).

So that's my list (kinda corny but its all true) So what are your 4 things?
Good idea Sarah!

Monday, November 5, 2007

I have a JOB!!!!

I'm really excited about this
1) cause we could use the extra money
2) I feel like I'm doing more to help Mick with our family.

I didn't stay home by choice (at first) but it really did work out for the best. I love my family and couldn't imagine not being home with my kids. I started working when I was 14 and was really independent so when I was forced to stay home it was hard. It has taken me a long time to get over the fact that I don't contribute to my family money wise.

I know as a mom/house wife we do SOOO much and with little ones at times it seems never ending. Anyways I'm really excited I'm going to be babysitting for a really cute, sweet little boy. The hours are great (1-6) and only 3 days a week (for now the dad is trying to change his hours so it will be longer after that). Thanks to Michell Judson I got this job. They are a sweet family (non members but) they share the same family values that we do so that's nice. Another thing I loved about them is how much they stressed they didn't want and have not had there kids in a daycare. They want and LOVE the at home mom babysitter. They said they feel the kids get more out of being with someone who is a mom, then with a daycare who looks at them as a paycheck. Its hard to find people these days that feel that way.

The little boy Rylan (I think that's how you spell it) is just so cute. I went and meet them yesterday after church and he was just too cute. I asked him if he wanted to go to my house and meet Skyla and Justin. He got all excited and want to go right then LOL.

Friday, November 2, 2007


I cant believe it, Im REALLY happy Halloween is over LOL. The kids just had so much going on this year it was crazy. We had a party to go to Monday night so I had to make something for that. Then I had to make something Tue to take to Justin's class on Wed. We had a Trunk or Treat at our church (witch was really fun) Mick even went!!! Yeah I know I just about passed out too :P

Then Wednesday Justin's class had a party so I had to run back and forth to his school about 6 times (I offered to help why i have no idea). We went to the park in there some where too and then we went out trick or treating for about 2 hours that night.
It was really cute though, the kids loved it. Skyla fell asleep on the walk home in her stroller. She had a death grip on her candy though it was too funny.

So Justin was Ghost Rider and Skyla was a fairy. Next year Im picking out there costumes. I want them to be something together and I know I better do it wile I still have the final say so :)
I love the holidays there so fun.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Welcome to our neighborhood

I never thought I would have one of these but so many people have inspired me to start one. It such a great way to stay in touch with all of our friend and family that is out of state or going to be moving soon. I love talking so you know my blogs might get long some times (so don't say I didn't warn you hehehe). I'm excited to have my own blog for my family and I hope its enjoyable to read too.